Kosovo-Serbia talks progress questioned

Serwer, director of the Conflict Management Programme at the Faculty for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, says the announcement of the Special Prosecutor's Office was unexpected.

It was a dramatic move. Prosecutors do not normally press charges before they are confirmed. This is unusual”.

Serwer tells the Voice of America that this has serious implications for Kosovo.

“is a new country, with institutions still fragile and suddenly facing an extraordinary task”.

Prof. Bieber, director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, told the Voice of America that the announcement prior to the visit was not random.

The “One thing is clear: that the Special Prosecutor's Office was concerned that that that visit, or visiting-related activities, could endanger the effectiveness of the charges against President Thaci”.

The specialised prosecutor said he deemed it necessary to issue this public announcement on charges, due to Mr Thaci's repeated efforts to prevent and sabotage the work of the Special Court.

Mr. Seller says it wasn't an ignorant thing. Mr. Bieber agrees. He says it was always expected that the Special Prosecutor's Office would deal with serious cases and senior officials.

The “is no surprise and everyone expected Hashim Thaci would be at least one of the main candidates on which the charges would be filed and that he would be interested in preventing the raising of those charges”.

Prof. Bieber doesn't think the American administration has anything to do with the timing of the announcement, given that Mr. Thaci was the main partner in American talks and administration.

Serwer says it's hard to imagine the White House was unaware.

The Special Prosecutor's decision to publicise charges against President Thaci yet without confirmation by the judge is unusual and has put to serious point what was expected to be the resumption of interrupted talks between Kosovo and Serbia.

A State Department spokesman told Voice of America that the United States encourages the Special Court for Kosovo and the Specialised Prosecutor's Office to stick to their mandate while advancing this issue through the justice system.

The spokesman also says the United States “believes raising the charges announced by the Specialised Prosecutor is a step forward for the process of implementing justice and reconciliation in the Western Balkans”.

Asked whether Thaci should resign, Mr. Serer, says if the charges are confirmed, he should do so.

I think if the judge who is investigating these acts confirms them and says he should appear in court, then I think of how Wessel, or Thaci, or anyone else on whom the charges are brought, must resign and go to The Hague and defend himself. ”

Prof. Bieber says the pressure will be too much to give you a hug.

The Western partners will insist he resign. ”

Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti of the Democratic League of Kosovo, even prior to such development, was in a fragile political position with a single vote's advantage in parliament. With the announcement of the charges against Mr. Thaci, a central Kosovo policy figure, his position in terms of any kind of negotiations concerning Kosovo's future weakens even more.

However, Mr. Serwer says that even before this weekend's meeting, there was no great achievement. Special Envoy Green had made it clear that the meeting was expected to focus on economic issues and issues of common interest.

Professor Bieber, says that with a majority having legitimacy deficits, any agreement becomes even more difficult.

Besides...

To have an agreement, you must have a consensus and a common strategy between the United States and the European Union”.

While many questions remain about reporting the charges, something is clear: the further performance of the talks is at a difficult crossroads.